The three new criminal laws came into effect on July 1. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) replaced the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC); the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaced the Indian Penal Code; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam replaced the Indian Evidence Act.
- The BNS has 358 sections, compared to the 511 in the IPC. The longstanding numbering of many criminal charges listed in the IPC has changed.
Some examples of new criminal charges:
- Cheating: Section 420, which defined cheating, led to the number ‘420’ becoming a catchall and commonly used term for such crimes. It is now listed as Section 318 in the BNS.
- Punishment for murder: Previously in Section 302 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Attempt to murder: Previously in Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Dowry death: Previously under Section 304B in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 80 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Sedition: Previously in Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Defamation: Previously Section 499 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Sexual harassment: Previously Section 354A in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Rape: Previously Section 375 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Gang rape: Previously Section 376D in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 70 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
